Bilateral acute iris transillumination (BAIT) syndrome: Differential diagnosis based on clinical, OCT and UBM findings.

INTRODUCTION: Bilateral acute iris transillumination (BAIT) is a relatively new syndrome whose etiopathogenesis is still not fully understood. It is characterized by acute bilateral onset of intense pigment dispersion in the anterior chamber, iris depigmentation with severe transillumination defects, accentuated pigment deposition in the angle, and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). In literature, the first case was of bilateral acute iris depigmentation (BADI) reported in 2004 in a 77-year-old woman. In 2019, Perone et al. published a review about BAIT syndrome. They reported a total of 79 cases have been published up that date, mainly in Europe and especially in Turkey and Belgium. The majority of reported cases were of bilateral acute iris depigmentation (BADI). BAIT syndrome might be mainly confused with acute iridocyclitis, acute primary angle-closure (APAC) and pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS). In relation to BAIT, controversies still exist regarding the etiology being the differential diagnosis of paramount importance for adequate treatment. PURPOSE: To report a case of BAIT syndrome associated to refractory glaucoma and to discuss the differential diagnosis based on clinical, OCT and UBM findings. METHODS: We present a case of BAIT syndrome in which clinical, OCT and UBM findings have pointed out the similarities and, mainly the diagnosis differences with other ocular diseases. CONCLUSIONS: BAIT syndrome with accentuated IOP rise must be differentiated of other ocular diseases. It requires urgent clinical therapy and/or surgical management as occurred in the present case for avoiding structural damage in OCT and visual field loss. OCT and UBM are critical for early recognition, differential diagnosis and management.

Trends in the epidemiological and microbiological profiles of infectious keratitis in southeastern Brazil / Perfil epidemiológico e microbiológico das ceratites infecciosas no sudeste do Brasil

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the antibiotic susceptibility as well as the clinical, epidemiological, and microbiological profiles of microbial keratitis. Methods: This was a longitudinal retrospective study, and we retrospectively reviewed medical and laboratory records from 2015 to 2019. Results: In total, 380 pathogens (321 bacteria and 59 fungi) were isolated from the corneas of 352 patients. Staphylococcus species (45%) were most abundant within the organisms that were isolated, followed by Pseudomonas (18.4%), fungi (15.5%), Streptococcus (7.9%), and Serratia species (3.2%). The isolated gram-positive bacteria were not resistant to amikacin or vancomycin, although 14.8% of the gram-positive isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin (p<0.05). All the gram-negative isolates were susceptible to amikacin. Male patients represented 62.8% of the 129 cases with accessible clinical data. The mean age of the patients was 53.17 ± 21 years. The time to presentation (from onset of symptoms) was 14.9 ± 19.4 days (median: 7 days). Large ulcers (>5 mm in any dimension) were present in 49.6% (64 eyes) of the cases. The duration of treatment was 49 ± 45.9 days (median: 38 days). Direct ocular trauma was reported by 48 (37.2%) patients, and 15 patients (11.6%) reported using contact lenses. For 72 (55.8%) patients, topical treatment had been previously prescribed, and 16 (12.4%) patients reported using other classes of drugs. Hospitalizations were required for 79 (61.2%) patients, and in terms of major complications, 53 (41.1%) patients had corneal perforations. A total of 40 patients (31%) underwent tectonic penetrating keratoplasty, and 28 (21.7%) developed secondary glaucoma. A progression to endophthalmitis occurred in 8 (6.2%) patients, with 50% of those patients' (3.1% of the total) endophthalmitis evolving to evisceration. The patients' microbial keratitis was largely treated empirically, with 94 (72.9%) patients prescribed moxifloxacin and 56 (43.4%) prescribed ciprofloxacin before receiving their culture results. Conclusions: For the most part, our hospital treated patients with severe microbial keratitis. Despite identifying gram-positive bacteria in most of the isolates, we also frequently identified gram-negative rods and fungi. Our susceptibility results support prescribing a combination of vancomycin and amikacin as an effective empirical therapeutic regimen to treat microbial keratitis.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar a susceptibilidade a antibió­ticos, o perfil clínico, epidemiológico e microbiológico das ce­ratites infecciosas. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo longitu­dinal. Registros médicos e laboratoriais de 2015 a 2019 fo­ram revisados retrospectivamente. Resultados: Trezentos e oitenta patógenos (321 bactérias e 59 fungos) foram isolados das córneas de 352 pacientes. As espécies de Staphylococcus foram os microorganismos mais isolados (45%), seguidos de Pseudomonas (18,4%), fungos (15,5%), Streptococcus (7,9%) e Serratia (3,2%). Não houve resistência das bactérias Gram-positivas à amicacina ou vancomicina, enquanto 14,8% isolados Gram-positivos foram resistentes à ciprofloxacina (p<0,05). Todos os organismos Gram-negativos eram suscetíveis à amicacina. Pacientes do sexo masculino representaram 62,8% de 129 casos com dados clínicos acessíveis. A média de idade foi 53,17 ± 21 anos. O tempo até a apresentação (desde o início dos sintomas) foi de 14,9 ± 19,4 dias (mediana: 7 dias). Úlceras grandes (>5mm em qualquer extensão) representaram 49,6% (64 olhos) dos casos. A duração do tratamento foi de 49 ± 45,9 dias (mediana: 38 dias). Trauma ocular direto foi relatado por 48 (37,2%) pacientes e uso de lentes de contato por 15 (11,6%) pacientes. Foi prescrito tratamento prévio para 72 (55.8%) pacientes. Outras classes de medicamentos foram prescritas para 16 (12.4%). Setenta e nove (61,2%) pacientes tiveram que ser hospitalizados. Como complicações maiores, 53 (41,1%) pacientes apresentaram perfuração corneana, 40 pacientes (31%) foram submetidos à ceratoplastia penetrante tectônica e 28 (21,7%) desenvolveram glaucoma secundário. Oito pacientes (6,2%) evoluíram para endoftalmite. O tratamento empírico da ceratite microbiana foi amplamente empregado, com 94 (72,9%) pacientes em uso de moxifloxacina e 56 (43,4%) em uso de ciprofloxacina antes do resultado da cultura. Conclusões: Nosso hospital tratou predominantemente de pacientes com úlceras microbianas graves. Embora bactérias Gram-po­sitivas constituíssem a maioria dos isolados, bacilos e fungos Gram-negativos também foram frequentemente identificados nas ceratites microbianas. Os resultados de suscetibilidade sugerem a combinação de vancomicina e amicacina como um regime terapêutico empírico eficaz para essa condição grave com risco de perda visual permanente.

Glaucoma and Telemedicine.

PRCIS: Teleglaucoma is the future, but there is a need for clearer regulation by government agencies and medical entities, as well as for studies to further demonstrate the cost-effectiveness and safety of teleglaucoma strategies at a global scale. ABSTRACT: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic drastically impacted global health, forcing institutions to provide alternative models of safe and reliable health care. In this context, telemedicine has been successfully used to overcome distance barriers and improve access to medical services. Teleglaucoma is the application of telemedicine to screen and monitor glaucoma, a chronic and progressive optic neuropathy. Teleglaucoma screening aims to detect the disease at an earlier stage, especially in high-risk populations and underserved areas, also identifying patients who require more urgent treatment. Teleglaucoma monitoring seeks to provide remote management through virtual clinics, where classic in-person visits are replaced by synchronous data collection (clinical measurements) performed by non-ophthalmologists and asynchronous review (decision-making) by ophthalmologists. This may be employed for low-risk patients with early disease, improving health care logistics, reducing the number of face-to-face consultations, and saving time and costs. New technologies may also allow home monitoring of patients in teleglaucoma programs, with the addition of artificial intelligence methods, which are expected to increase the accuracy of remote glaucoma screening/monitoring and support clinical decision-making. However, for the incorporation of teleglaucoma into clinical practice, a complex system for collection, transfer, flow, and interpretation of data is still necessary, in addition to clearer regulatory markers by government agencies and medical entities.

Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of Mometasone Furoate in Treating Ocular Inflammation.

Mometasone furoate (MF) is a medium-potency synthetic glucocorticosteroid with anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive properties. However, its role in the treatment of ocular inflammation has not yet been explored. This work investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of MF in ocular tissues. First, the in vivo safety of the intravitreal (IVT) injection of MF (80, 160, and 240 µg) was evaluated via clinical examination (including the assessment of intraocular pressure), electroretinography (ERG), and histopathology. Second, MF was tested in an experimental model of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-induced uveitis in Wistar rats. Intraocular inflammation was then evaluated via a slit-lamp and fundus examination, ERG, histopathology, and the quantification of pro-inflammatory markers. Intravitreal MF showed no toxicity in all the investigated doses, with 160 µg leading to attenuated disease progression and improvement in clinical, morphological, and functional parameters. There was a significant reduction in the levels of inflammatory markers (myeloperoxidase, interleukins 6 and 1ß, CXCL-1, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) when compared to the levels in untreated animals. Therefore, MF should be further investigated as a promising drug for the treatment of ocular inflammation.

Trends in the epidemiological and microbiological profiles of infectious keratitis in southeastern Brazil.

PURPOSE: To investigate the antibiotic susceptibility as well as the clinical, epidemiological, and microbiological profiles of microbial keratitis. METHODS: This was a longitudinal retrospective study, and we retrospectively reviewed medical and laboratory records from 2015 to 2019. RESULTS: In total, 380 pathogens (321 bacteria and 59 fungi) were isolated from the corneas of 352 patients. Staphylococcus species (45%) were most abundant within the organisms that were isolated, followed by Pseudomonas (18.4%), fungi (15.5%), Streptococcus (7.9%), and Serratia species (3.2%). The isolated gram-positive bacteria were not resistant to amikacin or vancomycin, although 14.8% of the gram-positive isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin (p<0.05). All the gram-negative isolates were susceptible to amikacin. Male patients represented 62.8% of the 129 cases with accessible clinical data. The mean age of the patients was 53.17 ± 21 years. The time to presentation (from onset of symptoms) was 14.9 ± 19.4 days (median: 7 days). Large ulcers (>5 mm in any dimension) were present in 49.6% (64 eyes) of the cases. The duration of treatment was 49 ± 45.9 days (median: 38 days). Direct ocular trauma was reported by 48 (37.2%) patients, and 15 patients (11.6%) reported using contact lenses. For 72 (55.8%) patients, topical treatment had been previously prescribed, and 16 (12.4%) patients reported using other classes of drugs. Hospitalizations were required for 79 (61.2%) patients, and in terms of major complications, 53 (41.1%) patients had corneal perforations. A total of 40 patients (31%) underwent tectonic penetrating keratoplasty, and 28 (21.7%) developed secondary glaucoma. A progression to endophthalmitis occurred in 8 (6.2%) patients, with 50% of those patients' (3.1% of the total) endophthalmitis evolving to evisceration. The patients' microbial keratitis was largely treated empirically, with 94 (72.9%) patients prescribed moxifloxacin and 56 (43.4%) prescribed ciprofloxacin before receiving their culture results. CONCLUSIONS: For the most part, our hospital treated patients with severe microbial keratitis. Despite identifying gram-positive bacteria in most of the isolates, we also frequently identified gram-negative rods and fungi. Our susceptibility results support prescribing a combination of vancomycin and amikacin as an effective empirical therapeutic regimen to treat microbial keratitis.

Ocular Toxoplasmosis.

INTRODUCTION: Ocular toxoplasmosis is the leading cause of posterior uveitis worldwide, affecting individuals acrossdifferent age groups. The key to reducing vision loss includes prompt diagnosis and treatment. However, despite the prevalence of ocular toxoplasmosis, there has been little consensus regarding its pathophysiology,clinical features, diagnosis, and especially management. METHODS: The data sources were literature reviews, including Pub Med and Medline databases. Search terms included toxoplasmosis, retinitis, vasculitis, vitritis, uveitis alone or in combination with, serum, aqueous, vitreous eye, ocular and review. RESULTS: In this review paper, we have sought to provide an overview of the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical features of the disease, both based on current literature and our own clinical experience. We have also discussed the use of serology, ocular fluid, and ophthalmic investigations that could further facilitate the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis.Different management strategies have been reported worldwide, including newer approaches such as local therapy. CONCLUSION: A better understanding of critical aspects of ocular toxoplasmosis will hopefully lead to reduced morbidity, including blindness associated with this condition.

Low-dose melittin is safe for intravitreal administration and ameliorates inflammation in an experimental model of uveitis.

Uveitis is a group of sight-threatening ocular inflammatory disorders, whose mainstay of therapy is associated with severe adverse events, prompting the investigation of alternative treatments. The peptide melittin (MEL) is the major component of Apis mellifera bee venom and presents anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic activities, with possible application in ophthalmology. This work aims to investigate the potential of intravitreal MEL in the treatment of ocular diseases involving inflammatory processes, especially uveitis. Safety of MEL was assessed in retinal cells, chick embryo chorioallantoic membranes, and rats. MEL at concentrations safe for intravitreal administration showed an antiangiogenic activity in the chorioallantoic membrane model comparable to bevacizumab, used as positive control. A protective anti-inflammatory effect in retinal cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was also observed, without toxic effects. Finally, rats with bacille Calmette-Guerin- (BCG) induced uveitis treated with intravitreal MEL showed attenuated disease progression and improvement of clinical, morphological, and functional parameters, in addition to decreased levels of proinflammatory mediators in the posterior segment of the eye. These effects were comparable to the response observed with corticosteroid treatment. Therefore, MEL presents adequate safety profile for intraocular administration and has therapeutic potential as an anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic agent for ocular diseases.

Decisive role of histopathology of lens capsule in the diagnosis of chronic fungal postoperative endophthalmitis.

We report three cases of refractory chronic endophthalmitis after cataract surgery presenting to a referral center, and with repeated negative cultures. Initial treatment consisted of intravitreal and systemic antibiotics, with partial improvement. After subsequent worsening, pars plana vitrectomy, intraocular lens explantation and en bloc capsulectomy were performed. Histopathological examination revealed multiple filamentous fungal structures, sequestered between anterior/posterior lens capsule in all cases. Chronic postoperative fungal endophthalmitis may manifest with negative cultures possibly associated with sequestration of the microorganism into the capsular bag. Careful histopathological examination of lens capsule in these cases may be essential for a definite diagnosis.

Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Infectious Posterior Uveitis.

PURPOSE: To describe and illustrate the main optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of infectious uveitis. METHODS: Narrative review. RESULTS: Posterior segment OCT in patients with infectious uveitis reveals posterior hyaloid face precipitates, superficial retinal precipitates and infiltrates, foveolitis, retinitis, neuro-retinitis, choroidal granulomas, and choroiditis as main imaging biomarkers. Some of these features are specific to the underlying causing etiology and may support the diagnosis and the initiation of treatment. Some OCT features disappear completely with resolution; some others are associated with irreversible retinal damage. CONCLUSIONS: OCT identifies different features of infectious uveitis into the vitreous, the retina, and the choroid. OCT characteristics, combined with other multimodal imaging features, are helpful in the differential diagnosis of infectious uveitis, the early detection of complications, and the assessment of the response to therapy.

Psychometric properties of CVFQ7-BR-toxo to evaluate vision-related quality of life in children with congenital toxoplasmosis in Brazil / Propriedades psicométricas do CVFQ7-BR-toxo para avaliar a qualidade de vida relacionada à visão em crianças com toxoplasmose congênita no Brasil

ABSTRACT Purpose: The high prevalence and severity of congenital toxoplasmosis in Brazil, with several affected individuals progressing to low vision, emphasize the importance of evaluating their quality of life. In this study, the Children's Visual Function Questionnaire (CVFQ) was adapted to the sociocultural context of Brazilian children, and its psychometric properties were investigated for evaluating the vision-related quality of life of these individuals. Methods: This was a nested cross-sectional epidemiological study that prospectively monitored a cohort of 142 preschool children at a single referral university hospital in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. All children underwent complete ophthalmological examination, including visual acuity testing and binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy. Questionnaires were applied to their parents and caregivers to evaluate quality of life perception, as well as socioeconomic status of their families. Psychometric properties of the quality of life scale were evalua­ted by multivariate statistical analyses. Results: Adaptation to the Brazilian version of CVFQ-7 resulted in CVFQ-BR-toxo, a questionnaire for evaluating the perception of parents/caregivers about the vision-related quality of life of preschool children with congenital toxoplasmosis. The following six subscales were identified based on description, variability structure, and interpretation/grouping of items: general health, visual acuity, visual performance/functional vision, personal and social behavior, impact on family, and treatment. Children with low vision related to congenital toxoplasmosis had significantly lower scores for the following subscales: visual acuity (p=0.004), visual performance/functional vision (p=0.008), impact on family (p=0.001), and overall health (p=0.001). Conclusion: Psychometric properties were appropriate concerning the validity of the quality of life construct. CVFQ-BR-toxo could demonstrate the impact of vision impairment on families of children with congenital toxoplasmosis.

RESUMO Objetivo: A alta prevalência e gravidade da toxoplasmose congênita no Brasil, com muitos indivíduos afetados desenvolvendo baixa visão, reforça a importância da avaliação da sua qualidade de vida. Este estudo tem como objetivo adaptar o Children's Visual Function Questionnaire (CVFQ) para a realidade sociocultural de crianças brasileiras e investigar suas propriedades psicométricas para avaliação da qualidade de vida relacionada à visão nesses indivíduos. Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico transversal aninhado de coorte de 142 crianças pré-escolares acompanhadas prospectivamente em hospital universitário de referência em Belo Horizonte, Brasil. Todas foram submetidos a exame oftalmológico completo, incluindo medida da acuidade visual e oftalmoscopia binocular indireta. Questionários foram aplicados aos pais e cuidadores, para avaliar a percepção da qualidade de vida, bem como o nível sócio-econômico das famílias. Análise estatística multivariada foi realizada para avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da escala de qualidade de vida. Resultados: Adaptações na versão brasileira do Children's Visual Function Questionnaire-7 originaram o Children's Visual Function Questionnaire-7-BR-toxo, um questionário para avaliar a percepção de pais/cuidadores sobre a qualidade de vida relacionada à visão de crianças pré-escolares com toxoplasmose congênita. Pela descrição, estrutura de variabilidade, e interpretação do agrupamento dos itens do questionário adaptado, identificaram-se seis subescalas: saúde geral, capacidade visual, desempenho visual/visão funcional, comportamento social e pessoal, impacto na família e tratamento. Crianças com baixa visão associada a toxoplasmose congênita tiveram escores mais baixos nas seguintes subescalas: acuidade visual (p=0,004), desempenho visual/visão funcional (p=0,008), impacto na família (p=0,001) e saúde geral (p=0,001). Conclusão: As propriedades psicométricas foram adequadas no tocante à validade do construto. O Children's Visual Function Questionnaire-7-BR-toxo foi capaz de registrar o impacto da deficiência visual nas famílias de crianças com toxoplasmose congênita.

Psychometric properties of CVFQ7-BR-toxo to evaluate vision-related quality of life in children with congenital toxoplasmosis in Brazil.

PURPOSE: The high prevalence and severity of congenital toxoplasmosis in Brazil, with several affected individuals progressing to low vision, emphasize the importance of evaluating their quality of life. In this study, the Children's Visual Function Questionnaire (CVFQ) was adapted to the sociocultural context of Brazilian children, and its psychometric properties were investigated for evaluating the vision-related quality of life of these individuals. METHODS: This was a nested cross-sectional epidemiological study that prospectively monitored a cohort of 142 preschool children at a single referral university hospital in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. All children underwent complete ophthalmological examination, including visual acuity testing and binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy. Questionnaires were applied to their parents and caregivers to evaluate quality of life perception, as well as socioeconomic status of their families. Psychometric properties of the quality of life scale were evalua-ted by multivariate statistical analyses. RESULTS: Adaptation to the Brazilian version of CVFQ-7 resulted in CVFQ-BR-toxo, a questionnaire for evaluating the perception of parents/caregivers about the vision-related quality of life of preschool children with congenital toxoplasmosis. The following six subscales were identified based on description, variability structure, and interpretation/grouping of items: general health, visual acuity, visual performance/functional vision, personal and social behavior, impact on family, and treatment. Children with low vision related to congenital toxoplasmosis had significantly lower scores for the following subscales: visual acuity (p=0.004), visual performance/functional vision (p=0.008), impact on family (p=0.001), and overall health (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Psychometric properties were appropriate concerning the validity of the quality of life construct. CVFQ-BR-toxo could demonstrate the impact of vision impairment on families of children with congenital toxoplasmosis.

Cytomegalovirus as a possibly overlooked agent of hypertensive anterior uveitis and endotheliitis in immunocompetent patients in Brazil.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a member of the Herpesviridae family, including viruses that are well-known agents of keratitis, anterior uveitis, scleritis and retinitis. CMV is usually associated with ocular diseases in immunosuppressed individuals, with a notable exception of hypertensive anterior uveitis with distinctive clinical features in immunocompetent patients. This syndrome was characterized in the last two decades in Europe and Southeast Asia, and then documented in the rest of world. Definitive diagnosis in these cases is usually made by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of the anterior chamber fluid. We report three immunocompetent Brazilian adults with history of multiple glaucomatocyclitic crises and presenting with chronic hypertensive anterior uveitis invariably with mild anterior chamber inflammation and characteristic scarce nummular keratic precipitates. CMV DNA was successfully amplified and detected in the aqueous humor of all patients. Corneal endothelial counts were significantly reduced in the involved eyes, with one patient developing bullous keratopathy. All patients were then treated with topical ganciclovir gel and corticosteroids, with subsequent control of the intraocular inflammation. CMV may represent an overlooked / underestimated etiology of hypertensive anterior uveitis that may progressively lead to endothelial dysfunction, culminating in bullous keratopathy. Management of patients is challenging, with the potential use of topical antivirals to decrease the number of relapses, and corticosteroids to control anterior uveitis / endotheliitis and to protect the corneal endothelium.

Long-term impact of congenital toxoplasmosis on phenotypic and functional features of circulating leukocytes from infants one year after treatment onset.

Changes in immune response of children with congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) regarding infection evolution and therapeutic intervention was addressed. Infants with CT presented increased counts of monocytes, CD3-CD16-CD56High, CD3+CD56+ and CD4+ T-cells 1-year after treatment onset (TOXO1-yearAT). Smaller numbers of CD3-CD16-CD56+ and TCRγδ+ T-cells were specifically observed in infants with retinochoroidal lesions (L(+)). When infants were classified based on the baseline status, expansion of CD3-CD16-CD56High and CD4+ T-cells were observed in L(+) who had active, active/cicatricial or cicatricial lesions. Infants who had active or active/cicatricial lesions display augmented numbers of monocytes, CD3-CD16+CD56+, CD3+CD56+, CD8+DR+ and TCRγδ+ T-cells and those with active/cicatricial or cicatricial at baseline displayed increase in CD14+CD64+ monocytes. Moreover, all L(+) had increased IFN-γ+ and IL-10+ CD4+ T-cells, while L(-) had increased ratios of TNF+, IFN-γ+ and IL-4+ NK-cells upon antigen-specific stimulation. Persistent alterations in leukocytes in TOXO1-yearAT suggest long-term sequels in the immune system of infants with CT.

Vision-Related Quality Of Life And Depression In Brazilian Patients With Toxoplasmic Retinochoroiditis.

PURPOSE: To investigate visual-related quality of life (VRQL) and prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms in Brazilian individuals with toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (TRC). DESIGN: Comparative observational cross-sectional study. The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) were applied to respectively assess VRQL and depression in individuals consecutively seen at a uveitis referral center. Clinical/demographical data were collected. Descriptive/analytic statistics were employed, with P<0.05. RESULTS: Patients and controls were comparable concerning age, sex and socioeconomic level. VRQL scores for all subscales were significantly lower in TRC when compared with controls, particularly associated (P<0.05) with female sex, history of ≥2 prior TRC recurrences, concomitant use of systemic corticosteroids, monocular vision and blindness. Depressive symptoms were more prevalent in TRC (55/188; 29.2%) than in controls (34/182; 18.7%) (P=0.023), also being associated with lower VRQL scores (P<0.001). Seropositive and seronegative controls for toxoplasmosis had similar VRQL scores and comparable rates of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: TRC affects VRQL in Brazilian individuals, particularly women, using systemic corticosteroids, with visual impairment and presenting recurrences of TRC. One-third of patients with TRC had evidence of depression, which was also associated with lower VRQL scores. Mental health issues in subjects with TRC should not be overlooked.

Intravitreal lupeol: A new potential therapeutic strategy for noninfectious uveitis.

Lupeol is a pentacyclic triterpene with known anti-inflammatory effects. However, its role in the treatment of noninfectious uveitis has not been explored. This work investigated anti-inflammatory activity of lupeol in ocular tissues with in vitro and in vivo models. First, we evaluated the effect of lupeol (100 µM) on inflammatory response induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in retinal pigment epithelium cells (ARPE-19) by measuring levels of released interleukins (IL-6 and IL-8). Then, we investigated the anti-inflammatory action of intravitreal lupeol in a rodent model of panuveitis induced by Mycobacterium bovis Calmette-Guérin Bacillus (BCG). Rats were submitted to electroretinography and clinical analyses on days 3, 7, and 15 after uveitis induction. In addition, histopathological analysis, and indirect quantification of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) in the posterior segment were performed. Treatment with lupeol (100 µM) significantly decreased IL-6 and IL-8 levels in comparison to untreated LPS-activated ARPE-19 cells. This reduction was similar to that detected in ARPE-19 cells treated with dexamethasone. The results of the in vivo assay demonstrated that intravitreal lupeol is able to modulate inflammation in the anterior and posterior segment of the rat eyes, indicating that it should be further investigated as a novel potential candidate for management of uveitis.

Licarin A as a Novel Drug for Inflammatory Eye Diseases.

Purpose: This study investigated the safety and therapeutic efficacy of licarin A (LCA) in the treatment of intraocular inflammation. Methods:In vitro safety of LCA in retinal pigmented epithelial cells (ARPE-19) and human embryonic stem cell derived-retinal pigmented epithelial cells (hES-RPE) was evaluated using CellTiter-Blue® kit. The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay was used to investigate LCA safety and antiangiogenic activity. In vivo safety of intravitreal LCA was accomplished by clinical examination (including assessment of intraocular pressure), electroretinography (ERG), and histopathology. Uveitis was induced in rats by subcutaneous and intravitreal injection of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) antigen of Mycobacterium bovis. Intraocular inflammation was graded by slit-lamp and fundus examination, ERG, and histopathology. Results: LCA was safe to cells and to the CAM at concentration below 12.0 µM. LCA significantly reduced the percentage of blood vessels in the CAM. Retinal safety and anti-inflammatory efficacy of intravitreal injection of LCA 6.0 µM were confirmed through clinical, functional, and histopathological evaluation. Significant reduction of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6) was also found, when compared to untreated animals. Conclusion: The results suggest that LCA is a potential new drug for the treatment of inflammatory eye disease.

Sirolimus-Loaded Intravitreal Implant for Effective Treatment of Experimental Uveitis.

Non-infectious uveitis, an ocular inflammatory condition that affects the iris, ciliary body, choroid, and adjacent tissues (retina, optic nerve, and vitreous), is an important cause of blindness worldwide. Sirolimus (SRL), a potent immunomodulatory drug, has shown promising results in the treatment of inflammatory ocular diseases. Despite this therapeutic potential, its clinical use is a major challenge due to low bioavailability and poor solubility. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is a biodegradable polymer commonly used for ophthalmic drug delivery due to its suitable characteristics such as biocompatibility, good mechanical properties, and improvement of the pharmacokinetic profile of the drug. In the present study, we investigated the effects of SRL-PLGA implant on experimental autoimmune uveitis in rabbits. Clinical and histopathological examinations were performed, followed by assessment of protein levels and determination of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) activity in the aqueous humor/vitreous. As a result, treated eyes had decreased average inflammatory scores, protein significant decreases in treated eyes, assessed after 35 days. Histopathological examination showed less severe intraocular inflammation and decreased tissue damage in treated eyes. According to these results, the SRL-PLGA implant evaluated in this study was apparently safe, reducing inflammation in treated eyes, with an extended effect possibly associated with prolonged release of SRL in the posterior segment of the eye. Therefore, intravitreal SRL-PLGA implant could be a promising alternative for treatment of non-infectious uveitis.

Presumed Unilateral Acute Idiopathic Maculopathy following H1N1 Vaccination.

Purpose: To report a case of unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy (UAIM) following vaccination for type A influenza virus (H1N1).Methods: Clinical, fundus autofluorescence (FAF), fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings are presented.Results: A 25-year old white male presented with an acute decrease of vision in his left eye eight days after immunization with influenza A vaccine. Clinical evaluation revealed a deep yellowish-white lesion at the macula, early hyperfluorescence at the level of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and leakage and staining during the late phase of FA. OCT demonstrated disruption of the photoreceptor ellipsoid zone, as well as heterogeneous reflectivity changes and thickening at the level of the outer retina-RPE. Three months after presentation, fundus examination showed resolution of the yellowish foveal lesion, with persistence of mild RPE atrophic changes.Conclusion: This is the first reported case of UAIM following H1N1 vaccination to date.